Improvement in theaters and methods of protecting the same from fires



X L. suns.

THEATERS AND METHODS OF PROTECTING. THE SAME FROM FIRE.

No. 188,315. Patented Marc 1113 1877.

' witnesses innentur I iflurueggi NJETERS. PHOTO-UTHDGRAPNER, WASHINGTON, D C,

I NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS SUES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN THEATERS AND-METHODS 0F PROTECTING THE SAME FROM FIRES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 188,3 1 5, dated March 13, 1877 application filed I January 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS SUEs, of Ohicago, Cook count-y, State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Theaters, and a Method of Protecting the' Same against Fire, of which the following is a full description,'reierence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section. Fig. 2 is'a detail in perspective.

Theaters frequently take fire, and in almost all cases the fire originates in that portion'of the building devoted to the stage and scenery. There is usually a draft from the stage to the auditorium, especially when the doors are opened, and the flames and smoke pass rapidly from the stageto the audience-room.

The object of my invention is to construct theaters so that this difficulty will be obviated to a great extent; and .it consists in a large outlet in the roof over the stage for the passage of smoke in case of fire, so that a current of air will be induced from the auditorium to the stage, instead of from the stage to the auditorium, and in combining with such outlet a ceiling over the stage portion of the building, which will, for a considerable time, resist the action of fire, thus giving the audience time to escape.

In the drawings, A indicates the auditorium B, that portion of the building devoted to the stage; 0, the stage; D, opening between the stage and auditorium. E is the ceiling over the stage. This ceiling I make practically fire proof, either by making it wholly of metal, or by the use of metal joists with wire or wire-cloth for lathing, and usual plastering, or in other suitable manner. Fis a large passage, to be made offire-proof material. It passes through the roof G; its lower end is properly secured in the ceiling, and is open,

' except when closed by the valve 00. b is.a

reverse, thus keeping the smoke and flames from the audience-room while the audience is escaping. In cases wherea fire-proof dropcurtain is used, suitable openings may be somewhere provided to admit air to the stage.

In theaters of the usual size, the passage F should be about six-feet in diameter. It may be carried some distance above the roof, which will increase the draft. Two or more of these passages F may be used. The opening atthe top of the passage. F may be protected from storms by a cap.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows 1. In a theater or other similar building, the passage F, provided with a valve, a, in combination with a fire-proof ceiling, E, both located in that part of the building devoted to the stage, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The method herein described of protecting audiences in theaters and similar build ings from the effects of smoke and fire in case the building takes fire about the stage, by providing over the stagean outlet for smoke and flame, thus inducing a current of air from the iauditorium to the stage, substantially as set orth.

LOUIS SUES. Witnesses:

E. A. WEST, O. W. Bonn. 

